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The Kunekune pig comes from New Zealand. How they got there is a mystery as they
are not indigenous to that country. They were kept by the
Maoris
for meat, living not in enclosures, but free to scavenge around the houses. This
probably explains their love of humans and excellent temperament. In 1976 things
were looking desperate for the Kunes, and very few were left, but thanks to Michael
Willis and John Simister buying every Kune they could find, 18 in all, the New Zealand
Kunekune pig association was formed. They have done an excellent job and there
are now over 1000 pigs in New Zealand.
Kunekune pigs vary from 24" to 30" high and weigh between 140-220 lbs.
They are covered in long hair, which can be straight, wavy or curly. There is a
wide range of colours, from cream through gold, tan and brown to black. They also
come in a variety of spotty colours. An interesting feature is they have a pair
of tassels under their chin called Piri Piri. They have a medium to short head with
either prick or semi lop ears. Their body is best described as non-extreme, not
long and lean like a commercial pig, or short and pot bellied like the Vietnamese
variety.
Kunes have a steady temperament, and are extremely easy to handle. They are very
gentle, and ideally suit the new pig keeper who may be intimidated by larger more
boisterous pigs. Because of their small size they do not cut the land up as much
as larger pigs.
Questions and Answers on keeping Kunekunes
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What do Kunekune pigs eat?
Kunes thrive on a diet of grass, fresh fruit and vegetables. They differ from commercial
pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need a maximum of 16%
protein, and by preference a little less. They also need much more fibre than commercial
pigs. Kunekune pigs live on grass and vegetables in summer, in autumn this can
be supplemented with apples. In the winter when the grass loses its goodness 1 lb.
of 16% protein sow and weaner meal mixed with 1 lb. grass pellets and water in to
a hot mash can be given. This amount will vary with the condition of the pigs. There
is a Pot Bellied pig food on the market that is suitable for Kunes.
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Are there any foods that I cannot feed them?
Scraps of waste human food must never be fed to pet pigs. Waste food is defined
by law as any meat, bones, blood, offal or other part of the carcass of any livestock
or of any poultry, or product derived therefrom or hatchery waste or eggs or eggshells.
Also no broken or waste foodstuffs (including table or kitchen refuse, scraps or
waste) which contain or have been in contact with meat, bones, blood, offal or with
any other part of the carcass of any livestock or of any poultry. Great care must
be taken in this matter, for example bread from a meat sandwich must be not given
to pigs because it has been in contact with meat, which is a prohibited food.
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How much land do they need?
As Kunes thrive on grass it is very important that they have enough grazing for
most of the year. The normal recommendation for keeping outdoor pigs is 5-6 pigs
to the acre. It must be remembered that as well as eating grass they also walk on
it all the time, and in wet weather the land will get cut up especially in gateways
etc. you therefore get better use from your land if you can divide it up in to fairly
small areas, either with pig wire or electric fencing. Your grazing will also last
longer if you have some hard standing, a pen, a yard or a stable, where you can
keep them if the land is very wet.
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What kind of housing do they need?
If you have a stable Kunes will do very well with a thick straw bed in the corner
of it. Alternatively they will live in a sty or an Arc in the field. There are many
different types of arcs including wood, plastic and corrugated iron. Kunes are hardy
animals and do not really need an insulated arc. They will do well in any of the
above with plenty of bedding in winter (barley or wheat straw or old hay is ideal).
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What kind of fencing do I need?
Pig wire as its name suggests is a good fencing although small piglets will go through
the mesh. It is a good idea to run one strand of barbed wire or a rail along the
bottom of the wire to prevent them pushing it up. Electric fencing can be very effective
with pigs. With electric fencing several different pens of pigs can be kept in the
same field, in separate units living in arcs. Also pigs can be constantly moved
so they do not graze off their own droppings.
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Do pigs need mud?
Pigs need to wallow in summer to keep cool and prevent sunburn. You can either keep
an area moist so they can turn it into mud or provide a metal wallow bath. If you
do not provide a wallow they will often knock over their water in an effort to create
one themselves. They only like mud when they are hot. In winter they are very unhappy
to be wet and dirty as this can cause rheumatism and arthritis.
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Are pigs really dirty and smelly?
No, as discussed above, in winter they love to be warm and dry. Pigs never soil
their beds if they have a choice and will always have toilet areas away from their
beds that are easily cleaned.
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Should I keep a boar?
The more boars kept the better for the breed, as there will be more genetic variability.
A boar cannot be kept with the sow all the time, unless you want two litters of
piglets a year so you will need additional housing and grazing. The boars are easy
to handle, and great characters, but all male pigs grow tusks, and like goats and
cows with horns, you have to be careful they do not catch you by mistake, if you're
worried by the tusks, they can be removed.
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How many piglets do Kunes have?
In this country they have between 3-14 piglets, after a gestation period of 112-116
days. Pigs in general give birth easily, and Kunes are very good mothers who do
not seem to mind you handling the piglets at all.
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What should I feed the lactating sow and piglets on?
16% protein sow and weaner meal and access to plenty of fresh grass. Food intake
may double during lactation.
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What vaccinations do they need?
Kunes need vaccinating against Erysipelas. There are two initial injections, followed
by one every six months. If you are going to breed, they can be vaccinated against
Parvo virus, which causes embryo death and mummification. The parvo virus can be
carried in boars and sows without any symptoms and vaccination is good breeding
management practice.
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Do Kunekunes need worming?
Yes, every 4-6 months. Good land management helps prevent worm numbers building
up. Any frequently used paddocks should be mucked out daily. If you use electric
fencing you can move the fence frequently so they are not eating off their own droppings.
Ivomectin injections treat all worm infections, but oral preparations can be used
if roundworm infection is heavy.
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Are there any regulations that would prevent me from keeping pigs?
Yes. You may need planning permission, check with your local council. Some house
deeds say that you cannot keep pigs or poultry. If you have close neighbours it
is much better to talk to them before you get a pig than to fall out with them afterwards,
or even to have to get rid of the pig. Pigs can be very noisy at times.
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What other regulations do I need to know?
You need to register with your local branch of DEFRA, who will give you a holding
number.
To move any pig from one premise to another you require a movement licence. Failure
to do this will result in a very heavy fine. You must also keep a book with all
pig movements listed in it. Another book listing medications given must be kept
if you are going to use pigs for meat. To get a certificate to exercise your pet
you must: a) specify a route that you will be using b) keep your pet on a lead at
all times when exercising or moving it; c) there must be no contact with any other
pig; d) your pet must not have been fed any waste food at any time; and e) you must
not exercise your pet on agricultural land. A certificate, when authorized, will
last 12 months, after which it must be renewed. A condition of the certificate is
that the owner must carry it whilst the pet is being exercised and produce it on
demand to a police constable, inspector or other officer of the Ministry of Agriculture.
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Can I eat Kunekunes?
Yes. If reared outdoors on grass they will
need to be approximately 9-12 months old before they are ready for slaughter.
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What do I do in really cold weather?
Cold weather advice - In extremely cold weather
it is advisable to increase the amount of protien (pig feed) you are feeding to
your pigs, ensure they have fresh water to drink and plenty of dry bedding. Where
possible make sure that pigs are kept in groups of two or more for warmth.
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